The Blue multi-pattern Reactor pushes the envelope of modern microphone design and performance while making multiple mic setups more accessible. Reactor fuses an innovative pattern selection method with a swiveling capsule head for perfect positioning, and features Blue's premium condenser capsule, fully discreet Class A solid state components, and proprietary preamp for simple live switching between patterns (Cardioid, Omni or Figure-8). To facilitate use in multiple mic setups (like Mid/Side, X-Y), Reactor's capsule head rotates a range of 90 degrees for perfect positioning in tight spaces and easy pattern adjustability. Reactor's recording pattern selection is both intuitive and stylish, featuring LED backlighting on the pattern indicators and a magnifying element that compliments its forward-looking design.

This oddly-shaped mic is built like a tank - which is a good thing! You need a substantial mic stand to hold this piece - it's heavy, and could tip easily. Shockmount is also odd, but works, best upside-down, hanging from a large studio-type boom stand. Once there, leave it alone - it doesn't seem to like adjustments. Not recommended for location work. Mic seems to have a bit of a "smile" EQ built-in, but not overly so, so that it works on almost anything. A smidge more "hyped" than my 87, but I like it.

VERY HEAVY but beautiful sound on all settings. Quite striking to look at. MUST use heavy duty stand for this mic. It almost falls over under it's own weight in it's own shock mount! But if you have a strong stand and won't be moving it around too much, this is a very versatile and great sounding mic was and a hell of a value on the stupid deal.

I've owned BLUE Kiwi mics, which are great. The Reactor is very much a "Kiwi on a budget"--similar sounds, but not quite as refined. For the average singer or band, this is definitely good enough. If I were recording Norah Jones, I'd step up to the more expensive stuff, but that's not an issue with the type of recording that I (and most MF customers) do.

I like the mic enough that I can overlook its weight, awkward placement limitations, and terrible shockmount. If BLUE at least came up with a more suitable shockmount, that would go a long way towards easing users' complaints. But even with this limitation, the mic is still great and, really, a bargain for what it gives back to you, sonically.

The comments about it being a heavy mic are dead on. It is heavy. And, if you mount it tilted to one side or the other, the shock mount barely compensates...if. That being said... WOW! I love this mic. It is beautifully designed as a piece of artful manufacturing. The tone I get with it is great whether I am recording voice, spoken or singing, or tracking guitar. Very pleased. I have other large diaphragm condenser mics that can only be used in a well acoustically treated room. I did a voice over recently in an untreated, furnished office and suffered no problems of any kind. Very, very pleased.

You definitely get what you pay for with this mic and maybe a little more (especially if you find it on sale).

At first I was upset to find Blue neglected to include a dB pad or a low-cut filter, but the other day I used it to single mic a drum kit just for laughs and it's like the thing compresses itself. Very present, but it handled the dBs just fine and it was right up on the kit.

People seem to complain about the weight and how it topples stands and causes the shock mount to sag.. Well, it is heavy, that's absolutely true, but with a little more attention to setup I was able to secure the mic just fine on a pretty terrible stand. Fixing the mic at a downward angle proved to be a little more difficult, however.

I think it would be very hard to find many other mics of this caliber at this price point.

I have now used this on one recording (setting aside my Rode NT1A) and the sound is there. The shock mount should have been made to accomodate the large body. There are ways around this like using an arm and tilting the mic to the side. Even then you will need to secure the mic stand. I designed a vocal booth and placed it inside the booth on small table top mic stand. I am after the end result of good recordings, not cosmetics. On sale or the SDOD it's a great buy. Blue makes good quality mics.